It has been too long.

Well, I have run out of excuses really. There is no reason now not to get back into this blogging thing again at least on the limited basis.

I am unable to ride all the time, but I think that I can manage to switch this thing up a bit and at least write something down each day to entertain everyone who might be interested. I am sure that there is one or two of you that might be so.

I miss riding my bike every day. Let me tell you something. Riding to work is a very theraputic thing to do. I work with people. Lots of people. No, I won't tell you what I do, but I do work with a lot of people. A 15-20km ride into work and home from work does wonders for my ability to do my job. I am happy, my head is clear, nothing is bugging me. Every. Not rain, not snow, not sun. All is well in my world when I start a work day with the bike. Exercise is a wonderful thing. Catch is, this time around, I have a 34km each way commute with a need most days to switch job sites part way through my work day. That could add anywhere from another 10 to 80km to my daily total depending on where I have to go and that varies. Suddenly, my two wheeled steed becomes somewhat limiting.

And that, dear reader, sucks.

So I am stuck with my car. Good thing I like the car I bought - I have had it for about 1.5 years and still smile every time I drive it. It is a real pleasure to drive. Problem is though, the speed limit here in Ontario caps out at 100kmph and my Golf wants to cap out at much much higher speeds. Around town, it is a breeze to go slowly and poke along at the speed limit, but out on the highways, it is a real challenge to keep the speed down. I do it, but it is not fun!

Also, I have gone from spending about $60-$70 dollars a month in fuel to spending nearer to $250 a month. Add in the extra maintenance, and that is one huge hit to the pocket book. Not happy about that either, but there is not much I can do about it for the moment.

Back to the bike. Riding is now relegated to my around town trips that don't need huge cargo carrying capacity. I still get out for over 100km a week, but it just isn't enough exercise to really keep me going the way I had become accustomed to. I am thinking of joining my wife and child and getting a gym membership at the local ymca. They built a new building, and it has an indoor track, weight room, spin classes, and a salt water pool. The price for unlimited use is reasonable.

It just might keep me sane.

The picture above was taken on the Iron Horse Trail in Kitchener. The bike is ready for snow - no studs, but worn out cyclocross tires (Schwalbe ones this time) and it is ready to roll through the white stuff. Weirdly, I am really looking forward to the City of Kitchener needing to get the plows out. As soon as they do, they will open the suicide gates they stupidly installed on the trail and we will be able to enjoy their full width for the next five months or so. Bliss.

Also, there is something purely delightful about riding in heavy cold snow. I don't mean the wet stuff, I mean crystalized powder. It makes a gorgeous "wuffing" sound as the front wheel hits it. It flies everywhere. All sounds are muted (especially when it is actively snowing). I miss it, but soon will be able to really enjoy it. Another piece of bliss? The total lack of rock hard gnats to get lodged in the throat where they walk around until they trip the gag reflect and get hurled out all over creation (along with supper). More bliss!

I think I will leave you with that thought...